BRACKNELL BEES have injury doubts over Corey Spring and Joe Ciccarello for this Sunday’s visit of Superleague leaders Sheffield Steelers.

The Canadian forwards both suffered groin strains in Bees’ excellent 4-3 win at Sheffield in midweek.

Ciccarello underwent light training with the rest of the squad yesterday while Spring is causing greater concern and has been undergoing intensive physiotherapy in a bid to play.

Bees will at least welcome back defenceman Christian Gosselin after a one-match ban imposed for his penalty box bust-up with London Knights’ Dennis Maxwell 12 days ago.

Coach Enio Sacilotto revealed he was less than happy at losing Gosselin just hours before Wednesday’s match in Sheffield.

‘Goose’, as he is known to Bees fans, travelled up with the rest of the team and Sacilotto said: “We were informed about his suspension on the way up and I was very unhappy about it. Had I known that it was going to happen I would have called up Greg Owen and moved Steve O’Rourke back into defence. But it was not until after I’d declined to take him so that he could be fresh for the Great Britain national team that I learned about Goose’s ban.”

This Sunday’s showdown with Sheffield (6pm face-off) will be preceded by five minutes of sudden-death overtime, scheduled to start at 5.35pm.

The teams will be playing for an extra bonus point, having already banked one apiece from their meeting at the Hive last month which was abandoned 10 minutes from time at 1-1 due to dangerous ice.

In preparation for Sunday’s unusual scenario Sacilotto said: “We will be doing a few shifts of four-on-four. We have a system in place but have not worked on it too much yet.”

Recalled netminder Brian Greer is expected to keep his place after a fine display in midweek.

Sacilotto said: “We had a really good first period and did not deserve to be 2-0 down but then had a poor middle period when Brian kept us in it. He was outstanding – back to the Brian Greer we all know.”

Sacilotto has put any new signings on hold while the immediate future of Superleague is settled.

Wednesday’s announcement that Manchester Storm are going into liquidation and revelations that another undisclosed club are experiencing financial difficulties could lead to 30-plus players seeking new clubs.

And Sacilotto remains thankful that the future of ice hockey in Bracknell, at least, remains secure in the hands of owner John Nike.

“In the ISL there is no better club to be in than Bracknell,” said Sacilotto. “London are well run too but I am sure glad I work for John Nike.

“He operates the team at a loss but we are fiscally responsible and if more teams were fiscally responsible we would not be in such a mess.

“Britain has the best buildings in Europe for hockey and we have so much potential. I don’t think people realise what a great standard we have and it will be a shame if we cannot preserve it.”